News

Uley farmer charged with witness intimidation

A ULEY farmer has been charged with intimidating a council animal welfare officer who is due to give evidence against him in a sheep worrying case.

Gary Clift, 55, of Lye Farm made a brief preliminary appearance before Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday, July 31 and was bailed for a week.

Janine Wood, prosecuting, said the allegation of witness intimidation was that Mr Clift allegedly tried to prevent the Stroud district council official giving evidence against him in a trial concerning the worrying of sheep by a dog.

She pointed out that the sheep worrying case itself had been sent to the crown court to be dealt with, which was wrong because it is a case that is triable only by magistrates.

Judge Tabor said he would adjourn for a week to get the case sorted out and the worrying allegation remitted to the lower court.

Bailing Mr Clift till then the judge told him "You have got to be very careful about who you talk to, whether you have good intentions or bad intentions. If they are witnesses in the case don't go near them."